Government-issued ID required for all self-service machine purchases
By Kate Northrop
Minnesota Lottery players are now required to scan government-issued ID at all self-service vending machines when making a purchase.
In an effort to curb underage gambling, the Minnesota Lottery added age verification at all ticket vending machines.
Under Minnesota state law, players must be 18 years of age to purchase lottery tickets or redeem prizes at retailers. To further enforce the rule in situations where a retailer employee is unable to verify age at the time of purchase, the Lottery has added functionality to the vending machine scanners that allow them to scan and verify government-issued ID.
"It's a quick step that helps make sure all players are 18 or older — and keeps the lottery fun, safe and fair for everyone," the Lottery said in a press release.
Prior to making a purchase, the vending machine will prompt players to hover the barcode on the back of their current ID underneath the scanner. The machine only checks for a player's age. Once it's verified, players can complete their purchase.
"Important: The machine does not collect or store any personal data. It's just verifying your age — nothing more," the Lottery explained. "So the next time you're feeling lucky, stop by a lottery vending machine and bring your ID!"
Retailers are prohibited by state law from selling a lottery ticket or issuing a prize to an individual under the age of 18. Violating the rule in Minnesota will result in a misdemeanor, which can carry a sentence of up to 90 days in prison or a fine of up to $1,000.
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Honestly, this is much ado about nothing. If they really want to buy a ticket, they can find somebody to facilitate the purchase for them. If they win, mom and dad will gladly cash it in for them. Same thing with alcohol, there are people willing to buy it for you.
Same thing with alcohol, there are people willing to buy it for you.
The thing with alcohol is that you don't need to redeem it to drink it 🤣.
Now, when that minor who bought a ticket wins the jackpot or whoever the minor sends in the store, then the guys back at lottery security check the cameras to make sure that the ticket holder is the actual winner and not a friend of Eddie Tipton, suddenly mom and dad are not the person on the frame and then the whole shenanigans begin and everyone is up in arms saying they should be paid, blah blah blah
Nway, let me mind my own business 😜
You are absolutely correct. A lot of people do gift lottery tickets during festivities or just for <snip>s-and-giggles. Remember, this is the U.S. of A, where there is a will, there is always a way.
That is very true and those people that gift lottery tickets don't have a hard time explaining that in the stories we read.
Now if that was not the intent, you see how quickly one wrong creates another wrong, and before you know it, it's a web of lies and so on.
I appreciate your comparison of gifting, but the article is not talking about buying lottery tickets to gift someone, as such I don't think it's a good comparison.
My thoughts
if one state does it they all will do it. so sad in our country. Much worse issues then a lottery machine.
A lot of states have this now. Hopefully Minnesota is smarter with their rollout then Colorado was a couple years ago. Colorado neglected to add out-of-state ID's to their database. I remember I had to send the Colorado Lottery a pic of the back of my Oregon ID (for the barcode).
So we should just give up and not enforce laws -- got it.
Exactly. And lotteries will ask if YOU purchased the ticket. This story has nothing to do with gifting. Having your parents or someone lie for you is a poor example to set for a child. And buying alcohol for an underage person is a crime and people have gone to jail for it.
It isn't. It is about underage people playing the lottery. Scratch off tickets are given as gifts by the tens of thousands yearly I estimate. Not that I believe in giving those as a gift but I do not believe the lottery would ask a legal age person if they bought it or was gifted it. Why would they care. They certainly aren't going to check the camera to verify it.
Lotteries have standard written operating procedures and policies. I am 99% certain they ask the same questions of everyone. Can you imagine them paying out a claim and the scratcher was stolen from a roommate? Oops we forgot to ask????
Much worse than a lottery machine is a gambling habit at such a young age. Those stores do not want to held liable and it is a good law even though there ways around it.
Much worse than a lottery machine is a gambling habit at such a young age. Those stores do not want to held liable and it is a good law even though there are ways around it.
Arizona has a yes or no prompt asking if you're over 21 on their lotto kiosks.